I just got my Motorshield hooked up to my Arduino Mega 2560 driving 4 motors (4WD Robot from MakerShed).
Using the MotorTest example, and cycling through each of the 4 motors, I found that the motors are only running in one direction. The "reverse" on each motor doesn't produce anything (sound or motion).
P.S. I'm running the motors off EXT PWR @ 7.5v and the Arduino is currently running off USB. Also, I added a single 0.1uf ceramic cap across the motor leads.
Any ideas on where to start to troubleshoot?
Thanks!
Keith
Motorshield working -- in only one direction
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Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
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- adafruit_support_bill
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Re: Motorshield working -- in only one direction
(4WD Robot from MakerShed).
Those motors have a lot of brush noise. For that platform, many people find they need the full 3-cap treatment. (scroll to the bottom of this link) : http://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-motor-shield/faqAlso, I added a single 0.1uf ceramic cap across the motor leads.
If that doesn't fix it, post photos of the front and back of your shield and we'll see if we can spot the problem.
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Re: Motorshield working -- in only one direction
Alrighty. I will give that a shot.
Thanks for the quick reply!
Thanks for the quick reply!
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Re: Motorshield working -- in only one direction
No go. I added the 2 additional caps. Same result. I also hooked it up to an Uno R3 with the same result.
Here are pics of both sides of the board. Any help would be very much appreciated.
Here are pics of both sides of the board. Any help would be very much appreciated.
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Re: Motorshield working -- in only one direction
I suppose I could reverse the leads on one set of motors and use one set to drive forward and one set to drive reverse!
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Re: Motorshield working -- in only one direction
Ok. Found the problem. After reading some other posts here, I found someone else that did the same thing as I did. I hooked one lead on the motor to ground (thinking it was common) instead of both leads to each of the two M1 terminals and ignoring GND. I'm assuming GND is used for Stepper motors.
Anyway, back on track. Now, I'm thinking that instead of just acknowledging there is an obstacle ahead of it and proceeding on at full speed, my robot can now reverse and avoid! Life is good.
Anyway, back on track. Now, I'm thinking that instead of just acknowledging there is an obstacle ahead of it and proceeding on at full speed, my robot can now reverse and avoid! Life is good.
- adafruit_support_bill
- Posts: 88088
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: Motorshield working -- in only one direction
Glad that you figured it out. Your soldering on the shield looks fine. Good luck with your robot!
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.